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Journal article
'The mental load carries the weight': Australian women's perceptions of their postpartum body image and eating attitudes
Journal of health psychology, Vol.First online
25/07/2025
PMID: 40709834
Appears in Recent Faculty of Education Publications
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Abstract
The postpartum period presents physical and psychological changes, often influenced by societal body image ideals. This study explores postpartum women’s experiences with body image and eating behaviours using a qualitative phenomenological approach. Four semi-structured focus groups were conducted with 15 Australian postpartum women. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three key themes: (i) Internal guilt and self-judgement: Mothers are never the priority, mothers deprioritising their needs, (ii) External pressure and support, societal and social influences on postpartum expectations and (iii) Healthy habits and self-compassion, balancing diet, exercise and self-acceptance. Many participants experienced body dissatisfaction driven by societal standards and a desire to reclaim pre-pregnancy bodies, sometimes leading to maladaptive eating behaviours. Social support was both helpful and a source of pressure. This study highlights the complex relationship between postpartum body image and eating attitudes, emphasising the need for holistic healthcare interventions to support maternal well-being, body positivity and healthy eating practices.
Details
- Title
- 'The mental load carries the weight': Australian women's perceptions of their postpartum body image and eating attitudes
- Creators
- Angela Gilmour (Author) - Bond UniversityNatalie Ball (Author) - Bond UniversityKatarina Skender (Author) - Bond UniversityCaitlin Liddelow (Author) - University of Western AustraliaKarena Burke (Author) - University of WollongongMegan F Lee (Corresponding Author) - Bond University
- Publication Details
- Journal of health psychology, Vol.First online
- Publisher
- SAGE PUBLICATIONS LTD; LONDON
- Identifiers
- 991013299528502368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Education
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article